Systems Feeding

Doc-t August 12, 2015
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Systems to feed horses make life easier for the caretakers, keep the food in one place (efficiency), slow the consumption rate (slow feeders), keep the food from spoiling (weather) or automate the feeding time so horses can have food added at unattended times.

Feeding systems for horses are time-tested, while others are relatively new ideas.  The most common “new” way is slow-feeding hay.  The idea is to stretch out the length of time to consume the portion of hay given.  Slowing the food consumption rate keeps the stomach full, preventing stomach ulcers – or so they think.  In reality, stomach ulcers occur when a horse is exercised (trained) on an empty stomach, AND there is a dysbiosis (see the nutrition section). Therefore, I believe there needs to be a period where little food is available (see my thoughts in the nutrition section).

One day I called the owner of the “Busy Horse Hay Net” because they were falling apart.  He told me that China made his nets for cost benefits. He had no control of the manufacturing process. He couldn’t afford the manufacturing process in the US. So I complained to my client who lives here in my hometown.  She said she is a canvas maker specializing in boat coverings.  She could make a hay net for horses that would last and produce in America. The “Nibble Net” was born.  I readily endorse this product at their website nibblenet.com.

Most of you know I do not believe horses should be fed grain.  However, we have all seen barns with feeding systems.  This gallery will show you some feeding systems I have seen at farms throughout the country.  The automated systems intrigue me.  Relax and enjoy.

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⬇︎ Click or tap on any image to fully open it. Swipe or click the arrow to move through the gallery. ⬇︎

Plastic water troughs are used here to soak the hay. The water is drained using the drain plug at the bottom. Placing these tubs on a sturdy flat wagon makes distributing the wet hay very easy.
Plastic water troughs are used here to soak the hay. The water is drained using the drain plug at the bottom. Placing these tubs on a sturdy flat wagon makes distributing the wet hay very easy.
These Hay Pillows are secured to the floor with no reported problems other than the horse occasionally stepping on the front latches that would break them. Also, the Pillow nearset me has smaller holes for the leafier hay while the farther Pillow has larger holes for regular hay.
Hay bags are used in this shed to keep it out of the mud.
This plastic formed hay and feed tub keeps the hay contained and not scattered over the floor. The water is hung nearby. While this has an appeal of efficiency, I see three problems. 1) the horse’s head needs to be deep inside the tub to finish eating. This may not work with a nervous or claustrophobic horse. 2) It limits the ventilation and forces the horse to eat with his nostrils inhaling the dust so many bales have. 3) They are impossible to clean well.
This plastic formed hay and feed tub keeps the hay contained and not scattered over the floor. The water is hung nearby. While this has an appeal of efficiency, I see three problems. 1) the horse’s head needs to be deep inside the tub to finish eating. This may not work with a nervous or claustrophobic horse. 2) It limits the ventilation and forces the horse to eat with his nostrils inhaling the dust so many bales have. 3) They are impossible to clean well.
These Hay Pillows are secured to the floor with no reported problems other than the horse occasionally stepping on the front latches that would break them. Also, the Pillow nearset me has smaller holes for the leafier hay while the farther Pillow has larger holes for regular hay.
A hay bag hung on the fence for outdoor use.
A movable hay bunk that maintains the underlying grass from excess hoof traffic. The black plastic bin collects loosened hay and the bale broken into flakes is contained in the V shaped top section.
A food grade container used for – stall cleaning? Just thought this was funny.
The groom adds water to the streamer before “cooking” the hay.
Hay feeders on a timing mechanism delivers 2 pounds of hay three times a night. They are loaded by lifting via pitchfork. the timer activates a solenoid releasing a lock. The weight of the hay tilts the tray and the hay falls into the stall.
Hay feeders on a timing mechanism delivers 2 pounds of hay three times a night. They are loaded by lifting via pitchfork. the timer activates a solenoid releasing a lock. The weight of the hay tilts the tray and the hay falls into the stall.
Hay feeders on a timing mechanism delivers 2 pounds of hay three times a night. They are loaded by lifting via pitchfork. the timer activates a solenoid releasing a lock. The weight of the hay tilts the tray and the hay falls into the stall.
The hay bag is full and suspended from the ceiling. The eyes are above the level of the hay avoiding dust. The horse chews at a normal head level.
The hay bag is full and suspended from the ceiling. The eyes are above the level of the hay avoiding dust. The horse chews at a normal head level.
A hay rack located above the horse’s head filled with lots of hay.
Hay fed on the floor in the clean stall
This owner places the feed tub in the back of the stall forcing the care taker to walk through the stall and observe the horse when feeding. The horses are trained for this, but it can be dangerous if the horses are food aggressive.
An incredibly sturdy and very clean feed cart imported from Germany.
An incredibly sturdy and very clean feed cart imported from Germany.
An incredibly sturdy and very clean feed cart imported from Germany.
This feed chute is built into the stall wall. The blue cover is an indicator for the blue bucket to be used for feeding. Each horse is assigned a different color.
This feed chute is built into the stall wall. The blue cover is an indicator for the blue bucket to be used for feeding. Each horse is assigned a different color.
This feed chute is built into the stall wall. The blue cover is an indicator for the blue bucket to be used for feeding. Each horse is assigned a different color.
Each meal is bagged and labled with the time for feeding. Necessary in a boarding barn where compliance was poor in this horse owner’s experience.
Each meal is bagged and labled with the time for feeding. Necessary in a boarding barn where compliance was poor in this horse owner’s experience.
An easy way to deliver hay to horses during the day. At night the remainder is placed in the stall and the wagons removed. The owner says these horses act more “secure” with their heads out. These horses are on vet prescribed stall rest.
“Slow Grazer” hand built by the owner of this barn. This is day one of its’ use. A floating wire grid on top of the bale slows down the rate of consumption of hay.
“Slow Grazer” hand built by the owner of this barn. This is day one of its’ use. A floating wire grid on top of the bale slows down the rate of consumption of hay.
“Slow Grazer” hand built by the owner of this barn. This is day one of its’ use. A floating wire grid on top of the bale slows down the rate of consumption of hay.
“Slow Grazer” hand built by the owner of this barn. This is day one of its’ use. A floating wire grid on top of the bale slows down the rate of consumption of hay.
Self made slow hay feeder using a garbage pail, pipe and lattice
Self made slow hay feeder using a garbage pail, pipe and lattice
A large net to hold loose hay
Stall feed door rotates for access to either inside or outside the stall and locks into either position.
Stall feed door rotates for access to either inside or outside the stall and locks into either position.
Hay contained in a rubber feed bucket on the floor.
Feeding hole in the stall wall partition.
The “Nibble Net” which slows down the consumption of hay in fast eating horses. This was actually a suggestion I made to the owner who went forward with the idea and started the Nibble Net company.
A feeding door in the stall wall
A large feed tub that is falling apart leaving a sharp and exposed edge.
A very large feed tub with a spill collar built in.
Porta Grazer – reduces hay consumption rate
Porta Grazer – reduces hay consumption rate
Hay bale container with a dedicated rain roof
Custom hay holder for a 350 pound wire bale. I am not sure why the wires remain other than it is hard to remove them.
Muck bucket hung for chopped hay container
Integrated hinged feed and hay door
Hanging feed buckets. Mesh winf and sun narrier. Interesting roofing material.
Inverted tractor tire as a hay container
Inverted tractor tire as a hay container
Dedicated feeding hole for a hanging bucket
Ceiling hole for easy dispensing of hay
Clear plexiglass protects the walls from dirt and are easy to clean.
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